Extra Pro

Is anyone worried about the fact that the PS4 Pro is out in just over two weeks now and we still don’t really know much more about it now than we did when it was first announced? There were early reports that it would actually be very useful to people with only a 1080p TV, but I haven’t heard anything from Sony to verify that. Or push the idea in any way.

We all assumed that VR would be one of the main reason for it, but they’ve barely talked about that either. Maybe because they don’t want to put ordinary PlayStation 4 owners off from buying it? But what’s the point given it’s more or less sold out anyway.

What little we’ve heard from Sony is that it allows for sort-of, kind-of, fudged 4K and that’s it. All the 4K stuff I’ve seen makes relatively little difference to me. Certainly not enough that you’d want to pay £350 for it and then more than double that again for the TV to watch it on. HDR is far more impressive and although you do need a special TV for that the actual console side of it is free.

The whole thing is beginning to seem like a bit of a mess to me, with no clear advertising or word from Sony. I wonder if they’re beginning to get cold feet about it and are just going to roll it out as some sort of limited edition, hardcore machine. I certainly don’t know any ‘ordinary’ people that have even heard of it, let alone are going to get it.Betteridge

PlayStation Switch

I know the subject has been raised a bit already, partly in jest, but what are the odds that Microsoft and/or Sony are going to copy the Nintendo Switch? Especially as it seems to have been generally well received by the Internet. They’ve never been slow in the past but after the failure of the Wii U, if there was anytime they were going to just ignore Nintendo it would be now. But will that be playing into their hands?

Microsoft has never seemed to have any interest in portables so I don’t really see them doing much, unless it’s a mega hit, but Sony are of course very different. And the Nintendo Switch in portable form doesn’t look a million miles away from a PS Vita.

Could Sony be convinced into trying for a third portable? Or some sort of hybrid of their own based on the original, non-Pro, version of the PlayStation 4? I wouldn’t be against the idea to be honest. Let Nintendo see whether the idea works and then see what they can come up with. I know some people get upset at the idea of companies copying each other, but as another reader said recently competition is good for us gamers. And if companies come up with new ideas and variations while being inspired by someone else I don’t mind.Ghosthouse

Farmed out

Your Batman: Return To Arkham review was slightly heartbreaking. There should be a law against remastering classic games and making them worse. Enhancing classic films should be illegal too, for example, all that extra CGI rubbish they put into Star Wars: A New Hope.

Over the years I’ve played numerous ports that were inferior to the original, despite the original format having less power.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty didn’t look as good on the Xbox as it did on the PlayStation 2. The Xbox version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas had more pauses for loading than on the PlayStation 2.

Most ports aren’t done by the original developer are they? Maybe that’s where the process goes wrong. Are there many ports that far surpass the original version? I can’t immediately think of any. The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection perhaps.msv858 (Twitter)

GC: As we mentioned in our review, unlike movie remasters most games are not overseen by their original creators. Not that they’re all bad though. The Team Ico ones, for example, are definitely very good.

Born again

Nice to see all the positive comments for the PlayStation VR, for me it’s a game-changer. I have been gaming since the ‘70s and virtual reality has made me feel like a kid again. When I have been on it I have a feeling like when I have gone away somewhere new and exciting, and I can’t wait to see what comes soon. Especially with the PS4 Pro.

A quick question, on games like The London Heist that use two motion controllers can you use two PlayStation 4 controllers? I have found the normal controller works perfectly fine and using a second controller would be cheaper and take up less room than the currently stupidly priced Move controllers! Also, will you be reviewing Eagle Flight as flying is the best thing in VR, thanks.robbie.j

GC: If you use the DualShock then it’s just standard first person shooter controllers, unless there’s some option we missed. We will be reviewing Eagle Flight, when it’s out.

The craven crusader

Going into Saturday night I played the full London Heist, which I absolutely loved. The shootout in the van is fantastic. I was worried about the ergonomics of the Move controllers being too different from holding a gun. But all that disappears when you’re in the game and picking off motorcyclists and blowing tires with precision.

About 11pm I put on Batman: Arkham VR thinking I’d be done by 12. Was still playing it at 2am, though I kept taking quick breaks. Batman VR is awesome. The incredible level of detail and believability of the world is only spoiled by your own inability to be a decent Batman.

If you can believe Batman will keep getting the wrong equipment from his belt, constantly drop his batarangs, and shriek/cringe when the baddies are coming at him then you should do well with the game.thewearehere (PSN ID)
Currently playing: Unravel

Console upgrade

Hello, couple of technical queries. Last week, as I make sure to play a bit of Rayman Legends every day now, around Wednesday all my saved data from the previous day’s challenges (as well as the weekly challenges) had been erased. At first, I thought the game was having trouble connecting to Ubisoft’s servers – but no. No lums for me that day.

It wasn’t like I was headed for diamond or even gold cups or anything. But still, weird. Anybody still playing it had that happen to them? I’m on the PlayStation 4 version.

Also, I should start thinking about increasing my PlayStation’s storage capacity soon. I bought a 500GB console and all those mandatory updates are starting to fill the cup to overflowing. What are my least expensive options?DMR

Backseat driver

Try doing a replay of your race in Driveclub VR, then physically shift yourself into the back seat. It puts a driver avatar in the driver seat (who looks about how you did).

I find the best experience to shift myself into the back seat and view it from there. You can also stand up with your head through the roof if you want to, but let’s not get too crazy.tanktheclever

Pass it on

Thank you so much to the very generous GC reader David Clixby, who gave me his PlayStation 3 copy of Don Bradman’s cricket, after offering it out last week. I am so very grateful to receive this today, and can’t wait to fire it up tonight.

I would like to be amusing and include some cricketing puns, but am stumped if I can think of any…

The readership of this great site never ceases to amaze. I feel the need to offer something up now in return, so am willing to offer a copy of Singularity on the PlayStation 3 to be passed on as you may see fit, if anyone wants it. Keep up the good work!NormCJ (PSN ID)

Like buses

Now that the dust has settled on the reveal of the Nintendo Switch I would just like to say, like most other people, how impressed I was by that YouTube video presentation.

I have to say that the machine itself looks to be a very impressive piece of kit. If Nintendo can price it right, and the specs live up everyone’s expectations, then I, like a lot of other people I suspect, will purchase the console on day one.

As someone else said recently in the Inbox, it’s great for the industry that there is now so much diversity between the three main console manufacturers.

By the way, Nintendo are often criticised for their, at times, illogical business practices, but what about Rockstar! When they realised that their trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2 was the same day as the Switch reveal you’d have thought that the sensible decision would be to put it back a day or so, but no, they went ahead, and look what happened – their trailer was completely overshadowed and buried by all the chatter about the Switch. One can only assume that their publicity department is run by a bunch of chimps!

I hope GC that you can answer one question I have about the Switch. Do you think that for people without a home Internet connection you will be able to take the portable element to a public Wi-Fi spot and download games and DLC from the eShop?anthony B
Now playing: Eternal Darkness (GameCube), Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (Wii U), Zelda: Twilight Princess HD (Wii U), and Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)

GC: Rockstar announced their trailer first, so it was Nintendo who needlessly created the rivalry. We’re certain you will be able to use a public Wi-Fi spot; although every console manufacturer, even Nintendo, is going to assume you have a home Internet connection nowadays.

Inbox also-rans

GameCentral, I’ve always enjoyed the Dragon Age games, would you know if BioWare are making any more?Johnny five stars

GC: They’re busy with Mass Effect: Andromeda at the moment. But the last one was a success, so we’re sure there’ll be more.

Going through my gaming backlog, I recently decided to try Child Of Light. Stunning, beautiful, moving. I can’t believe I nearly didn’t play this gem of a game. I urge anyone feeling a little jaded with gaming, give Child Of Light a try.chazchopp

I’ve just heard of the passing of Steve Dillon, a legendary artist. I grew up on 2000 AD and this news feels as unwelcome as hearing of the passing of Joey Ramone. A sad day.Chevy_Malibu (PSN ID)
PS: For those that don’t know, check out Future Shock! The Story Of 2000 AD.

Just wanted to pass along some goodies to the GC community. Please dish them out as you see fit:
14 day Xbox Live Gold trial, 1 month EA Access, Gears Of Wars 4: Operations Gear Pack, and Deadpool digital HD/Ultraviolet movie download.TheSpectre N8 (gamertag)

GC: That’s very good of you. We’ll pass them out in the usual manner, in return for a useable Inbox letter.

This week’s Hot Topic

Following the long-awaited reveal of Nintendo’s new console, the subject for this weekend’s Inbox is what further announcements you want to see for the Nintendo Switch.

With technical specifications yet to be released, and no word on motion controls, touchscreen, storage, or battery life which issues are you most concerned about? And what do you hope, and expect, the answer will turn out to be on them?

What game announcements would you like to see, in terms of Nintendo’s own titles and those from other companies? What games do you think would work particularly well and what new styles of gameplay do you think the Switch could encourage?